New Delhi: Britain sought an early resolution to the issue of recognition of the one-year master's degree from UK universities to enable more Indian students pursue further studies there.

The request from visiting British Minister for Universities and Science David Willetts came as India has set up a committee to study the issue of recognising one-year master degree programme by British universities.

At the talks, the Indian side comprising HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju and MoS Jitin Prasada said the matter was currently being examined.

Britain has been raising the issue of equivalence of its master's degrees in India for several years. Since Indian universities offer two-year master's degree courses, the one-year courses offered by many universities in the UK are not accepted here.

The committee set up by the HRD Ministry had reportedly rejected giving recognition to the one-year programme, contending that the one-year degree covers a wider curriculum.

Prasada suggested at the meeting that the English proficiency test of the Indian students normally valid for two year should be enhanced to five years or more.

The leaders had deliberations for strengthening the present programmes of educational cooperation between the two countries and also discussed the new avenues for cooperation.

They also appreciated that institutional linkages and leadership development are two areas in which substantial progress has been achieved under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative since its inception in 2006 during which period 1025 partnerships had been supported in different areas.